DARD Extends Consultation Period on Responsibility and Cost Sharing For Animal Health and Welfare

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has agreed to extend the closing date for the consultation on Responsibility and Cost Sharing for Animal Health and Welfare.

The extension follows a very constructive meeting on Responsibility and Cost Sharing with key stakeholders from the Ulster Farmers’ Union, the Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers’ Association, the Northern Ireland Poultry Federation and the Northern Ireland Meat Exporters’ Association.

The new closing date by which views are being sought will be Monday 17 November 2008.

Responsibility and cost sharing aims to achieve a new partnership between industry and Government which will deliver a lasting and continuous improvement in the health and welfare of kept animals whilst protecting  the general public, the economy and environment from the effects of animal disease.

The contents of the consultation will affect everyone with an interest in the health and welfare of farm livestock and it invites views and comments which will help to form future detailed proposals.

Copies of the consultation document can be requested from Malcolm Hanna, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Room 709, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3SB, by e-mail Malcolm.Hanna@dardni.gov.uk or telephone: 028 9052 0932. The consultation document can also be viewed online .

Notes for Editors:

1. The original closing date was Monday 20 October and has been extended following discussions with industry.
2. The potential benefits of enhanced animal health and welfare are great; for animals, their owners, society, public health and the wider rural economy.
3. This consultation seeks views on how responsibility and cost sharing could be introduced in Northern Ireland and follows on from a consultation on the principles for responsibility and costing which was issued by the department in December 2006.
4. The European Commission is reviewing the current Community Animal Health Policy (CAHP). The development of a ''responsibility and cost sharing scheme'' was recommended as an instrument to support the future CAHP.
5. Whilst it is sensible that the broad principles of responsibility and cost sharing should apply on a member state basis, any new arrangement should be flexible enough to accommodate key regional differences. It is therefore essential that, when developing policies in Northern Ireland we consider the approach taken in the Republic of Ireland.
6. Further information is available from the DARD website.
7. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, Tel: 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.